Grant M. Hunt, the grandson of company founder Grant J. Hunt, Sr. has announced his retirement starting January 1st of 2018. He will continue to work with the company as a consultant. Hunt’s long-term co-owners, Salvatore Rizzo and Maurice Protzen are now the owners of the company with Rizzo being named President and Protzen as Vice President.
Hunt started his career in March of 1980 with the Grant J. Hunt Company as a salesperson, actually starting the same day as eventual business partner Salvatore Rizzo. The company president at the time was Grant’s father, Jim Hunt.
According to Hunt, “The produce industry has given me a career I wouldn’t change for any other. The people I’ve had the privilege to work with within the Grant J. Hunt Company, the retailers and wholesalers I’ve had close relationships with, the shippers and growers that have trusted us with their product and my peers throughout the various industry associations such as the Produce Marketing Association have truly made my career a blessing.”
Hunt has served the produce industry in many different capacities over the years, including being the Chairman of the Produce Marketing Association’s Board in 1999. His father was the Chairman in 1981, making them the only father/son duo to serve the board as Chairmen.
“I’ve always felt it was important to be involved with many aspects of the industry at the local, regional, national and even international level. This is an ever-changing industry and that is why our company has always strived to be strategically focused on the future,” Hunt said. “I have been extremely blessed to have been surrounded by the greatest colleagues that anyone could possibly hope for while we always looked for solutions to help make our customers and growers more successful. I am thankful and proud that my successors will continue to operate the company with the highest standards that we have set for ourselves for the past 84 years."
Under Hunt’s time as President the company grew beyond California’s Bay Area, opening offices in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, a logistics company was created with offices in Oregon and California. In 2016 they launched Grant J. Hunt Company-South with an office in Scotts Valley, CA and a distribution center in Rio Rico, AZ.
According to Rizzo, “Grant, Maurice and I have been business partners for over 20 years, and we’ve always taken great pride in the teamwork and positive attitude that the Grant J. Hunt Company is known for. We have a terrific team in place and are excited for the New Year and the opportunities it’ll bring.”
“If we are lucky, during the course of our careers we cross paths with individuals whose ethics, thinking and actions lift us up and show us a path to being a better leader. These people always seem to come up with a different angle in overcoming adversity and are always willing to share their thoughts in helping the group move toward a positive solution. In my career, I have been blessed by the willingness that Grant Hunt has always shared to help the Northwest Cherry industry find solutions and paths that help my growers remain viable. So to one of the best thinkers I have had the honor to work with … it is my hope that Grant Hunt has the same amazing success in retirement that he has had in his produce career! Congratulations Grant!” BJ Thurlby, President, Washington State Fruit Commission
Hunt plans to be active in his retirement, volunteering for non-profit groups, continuing to develop his passion for golf and traveling with his wife Susan.
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